The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has hosted its First Introductory Workshop of the Information Security Awareness Committee "ISA", which was represented by the Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT).

The workshop, which was attended by 38 federal and local government and private entities and had been organised in collaboration with Ebdaa, launched the preparations of ISA Committee initiatives, which aim to promote, build and ensure a safer and secure cyber environment and culture in the UAE, in modern and innovative ways.

The workshop highlighted the process and criteria for joining the committee, the strategies and action plans for developing a road map, a timeframe for the accomplishment of each phase, and the intended results.

A number of these initiatives will be activated within the committee in cooperation with the partners, which will contribute in increasing the level of awareness among all members of the community, in order to limit the hacking and fraud attempts by cyber criminals against internet and smart devices users.

H.E Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA director general, said: ‘We continue through the new year, the hard work, cooperation and collaboration with various UAE government entities to raise awareness as well as introducing the importance of Information Security as a strategic and vital subject that must be protected of any threat. Our main objective is to reach the highest levels of cyber security in the UAE, which goes in line with the directives of the wise leadership in this matter, in addition to keeping pace with the constant rapid achievements and milestones that the UAE is witnessing in the field of smart cities and digital services.‘

Mohammad Al Zarooni, director of Policies and Programs Department in TRA, said during his speech in the workshop: ‘We are aware of the importance of protecting the government services as well as the UAE citizens data. This is the main reason for which the Computer Emergency Response Team in TRA has been established, as it seeks to promote the cyber security culture on the state level. The subject of spreading awareness on the importance of information is more than ever becoming increasingly important, especially in light of the significant increase in the use of electronic devices. We gather today to discuss a road map and initiatives that we must cooperate and work together to make them work as a team'.